Attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance

ABSTRACT

A grooming device includes a head and a handle. A first end of the handle is connected to the head, and a second end of the handle is connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance. The head includes a bristle carrier having a plurality of bristles, and a bristle cover having a plurality of apertures. The device includes an actuator manually operable by a user to effect relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover from a stowed configuration in which the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover to a deployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle cover through the apertures. The handle includes a conduit for conveying an air flow from the head to the second end of the handle. Resilient members are provided for returning the head to the stowed configuration automatically when the actuator is released by the user. In addition to enabling hair or other matter collected between the bristles of the bristle carrier to be readily dislodged from the device, the automatic retraction of the bristles can ensure that the bristles are not exposed when the device is not in use.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No.0908846.9, filed May 22, 2009, and United Kingdom Application No.0918550.5, filed Oct. 22, 2009, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a grooming device. In its preferredembodiment, the grooming device is in the form of an attachment for avacuum cleaning appliance. The grooming device finds particular, but notexclusive, use as a pet grooming device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional pet grooming device is a slicker brush, which comprises agrooming head attached to a handle. The head is usually in the form of acurved, generally rectangular bristle pad carrying an array ofrelatively fine metallic or polymeric bristles. A problem associatedwith slicker brushes is that hair removed from the pet by the slickerbrush can become rapidly entangled between the bristles of the bristlepad. Consequently, a user may need to manually pull a mass of collectedhair, together with any dander or other matter within the hair mass,from the bristle pad a number of times during grooming. Not only canthis be an inconvenience for the user, but it can be unpleasant,particularly if the bristles are sharp or if the user is allergic to thematter removed from the pet.

In order to address this problem, it is known to provide brushes withretractable bristles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,775 describes abrush having a handle and a bristle-receiving chamber connected to thehandle. This chamber comprises a combing wall comprising a plurality ofbristle-extension apertures, and a bristle pad comprising a plurality ofbristles. The bristle pad is urged against the inner surface of thecombing wall by a spring so that the bristles extend through theapertures. The bristle pad is connected to a lever which is rotatableabout a pivot point against the biasing force of the spring to move thebristle pad away from the combing wall, thereby causing the bristles toretract within the chamber. This rotation may be effected by the thumbof the hand holding the brush, or by the other hand of the user. Hair orother matter entangled between the bristles will either fall from thebrush as the bristles retract within the chamber or remain on thecombing wall to be manually removed by the user. Once the combing wallhas been cleaned the user releases the lever, resulting in the bristlesbeing forced back through the apertures in the combing wall under theforce of the spring. As a result, the bristles are fully exposed whenthe brush is not in use. There is therefore a risk that accidentally thebristles may become bent or otherwise damaged, and thus interfere withthe free movement of the bristle pad relative to the combing wall duringthe next use of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an attachment for a vacuum cleaningappliance, comprising a head comprising a bristle carrier and a bristlecover, the bristle carrier comprising a plurality of bristles and thebristle cover comprising a plurality of apertures, a handle connected tothe head, a conduit connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance forconveying an air flow from the bristle cover towards the appliance, anactuator manually operable by a user to effect relative movement betweenthe bristle carrier and the bristle cover from a stowed configuration inwhich the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover to adeployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristlecover through the apertures, and means for returning the head to thestowed configuration automatically when the actuator is released by theuser.

In addition to enabling hair or other matter collected between thebristles of the bristle carrier to be readily dislodged from the devicethrough release of the actuator, the automatic retraction of thebristles beneath the bristle cover can ensure that the bristles are notexposed when the attachment is not in use.

As mentioned above, a conduit is provided for conveying an air flowgenerated by a vacuum cleaning appliance from the bristle cover towardsthe appliance. This can enable loose hairs, dirt and other detritus tobe entrained within the air flow and carried away from the pet and itssurrounding environment during the grooming operation. Furthermore, whenthe head is returned to its stowed configuration during a groomingoperation, the hair which had become entangled between the bristles canbe drawn into the conduit and thus away from the bristle cover withoutthe user having to brush or physically dislodge that hair from thebristle cover.

Preferably, the head comprises a suction opening of the conduit. Thesuction opening may be in the form of an aperture located in the bristlecover of the head. The suction opening may be located centrally on thebristle cover. The bristle cover may comprise a first section of theconduit for conveying the air flow away from the bristle cover, and thehandle may comprise a second section of the conduit for conveying theair flow towards an appliance connected to the handle. The secondsection of the conduit preferably extends from a first end to a secondend of the handle.

Either the bristle cover or the bristle carrier may move relative to theother in response to operation of the actuator. In a preferredembodiment, the bristle carrier moves relative to the bristle cover inresponse to operation of the actuator to effect movement of the headfrom the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration.

The relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle covermay be effected in one of a number of different ways. For example, theactuator may be in the form of a button which is depressed by a user,and in response to which a motor or other electrical device is activatedto cause, for example, the bristle carrier to move towards the bristlecover and cause the bristles to protrude through the apertures in thebristle cover. When the button is released, the motor is operated inreverse to retract the bristles. Instead of a button, a capacitivesensor or other form of sensor may be used to enable the actuator to beoperated depending on the proximity of the finger, thumb or other partof the hand of the user to the sensor. As another alternative, apneumatic system may be employed to effect relative movement between thebristle carrier and the bristle cover in response to operation of theactuator.

Preferably, the bristle carrier is mechanically connected to theactuator. The relative movement between the bristle carrier and thebristle cover may be effected by movement of the actuator relative tothe handle. The movement of the actuator relative to the handle, andthus the movement of the bristle carrier relative to the bristle cover,may be effected by sliding the actuator along the handle, or by pressingpart of the actuator towards the handle, for example using the thumb orother digit of a hand which is gripping the handle. This can allow theuser to effect the movement of the head between its stowed and deployedconfigurations by simply adjusting the force applied to the actuatorusing the thumb or other digit of a hand which is gripping the handle.The head can thus be maintained in its deployed configuration for aslong as the user maintains pressure on the actuator. Furthermore, theuser is able to retract the bristles rapidly, either partially or fully,by simply reducing the pressure applied to the actuator in the eventthat the bristles become caught or otherwise trapped in the fur of thepet during a grooming operation.

Alternatively, the actuator may comprise an arm located adjacent andextending alongside the handle, the handle and the arm being broughttogether when the attachment is gripped by a user to effect relativemovement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover. This canallow the user to effect the movement of the head between its stowed anddeployed configurations by simply tightening and loosening its grip onthe attachment.

The bristle carrier may be connected directly to the actuator, and maybe integral with the actuator. Alternatively, one or more otherarticulated or otherwise movable connectors may be provided forconnecting the bristle carrier to the actuator. The bristle cover of thehead may be connected to the body of the handle, or it may be integraltherewith.

The means for returning the head automatically to the stowedconfiguration may comprise a resilient element for urging at least partof the actuator away from the handle. The resilient element may belocated in the bristle chamber for urging the bristle carrier away fromthe bristle cover, or it may be located between the handle and part ofthe actuator. The resilient element may be located in a housing toprevent any dirt or other matter from impairing the action of theresilient element. A part of the housing may be defined by the actuator,and another part of the housing may be defined by the handle. Theattachment may comprise two such resilient elements, each located on arespective side of the conduit. Where the bristle carrier is movablerelative to the bristle cover, the attachment may comprise means forrestricting movement of the bristle carrier away from the bristle coverunder the action of the resilient element. For example, a part of theactuator or the bristle carrier may be shaped to engage part of thehandle as the bristle carrier moves away from the bristle cover torestrict the movement of the bristle carrier away from the bristlecover.

Preferably, the bristle carrier comprises a plurality of rows ofbristles, and the bristle cover comprises a plurality of rows ofapertures. The bristles may be mounted on bristle pads connected to thebristle carrier. Alternatively, the bristles may be connected directlyto the bristle carrier. Each aperture may be in the form of a slotthrough which a respective row of bristles protrudes as the head movesto its deployed configuration. The bristle cover may comprise a groomingwall in which the apertures are formed. Alternatively, the bristle covermay define a chamber for housing the bristle carrier, with the aperturesbeing formed in a base of the bristle cover.

The device preferably comprises means for varying the air flow into thesuction opening. The means for varying the air flow into the suctionopening is preferably arranged to vary the air flow into the suctionopening depending on the position of the bristle carrier relative to thebristle cover. For example, when the head is in its deployedconfiguration it is preferable to have a relatively low air flow intothe suction opening in order to prevent the head from being pushed downagainst the skin of the pet being groomed. Conversely, when the head isin its stowed configuration it is preferable to have a relatively highair flow into the suction opening in order to draw the collected hairinto the conduit. Consequently, the means for varying the air flow intothe suction opening is preferably arranged to increase the air flow intothe suction opening as head moves from its deployed configuration to itsstowed configuration.

The means for varying the air flow into the suction opening may comprisean air bleed into the conduit and means for varying the air flow intothe air bleed. The air bleed is preferably located between the ends ofthe handle, and may be located above the head to allow hair and otherairborne matter dislodged from the pet during the grooming operation tobecome entrained within the air flow and drawn through the air bleedinto the conduit.

The air bleed may be in the form of an aperture located on a frontsurface of the handle. Alternatively, the air bleed may be in the formof an aperture located on an upper or a lower surface of the handle.

The actuator may comprise the means for varying the air flow into theair bleed. In one embodiment the actuator comprises a window forexposing at least part of the air bleed when the head is in its deployedconfiguration, and means for substantially closing the air bleed whenthe head is in its stowed configuration. For example, the actuator maybe shaped to cover the air bleed when the head is in its stowedconfiguration.

As another alternative, the conduit may comprise a third section whichis arranged to convey the air flow from the air bleed to the secondsection of the conduit. The third section of the conduit is preferablylocated in front of the second section of the conduit, and is morepreferably substantially linearly aligned with the second section of theconduit. The air bleed may be arranged at the end of this third sectionof the conduit, and may be arranged to face at least part of the bristlecarrier. The periphery of the air bleed may have a curvature which issubstantially the same as the curvature of said at least part of thebristle carrier. When the bristle carrier is movable relative to thebristle cover, the air bleed may be arranged relative to the bristlecarrier so that the bristle carrier varies the air flow into the airbleed as the head moves between its stowed and deployed configurations.For example, the bristle carrier may be arranged to expose the air bleedso that the air flow into the air bleed is relatively high when the headis in the deployed configuration, and to reduce the air flow into theair bleed when the head is in the stowed configuration. The bristlecarrier may be arranged to at least partially close the air bleed whenthe head is in the stowed configuration. The actuator may extend aboutthe second section of the conduit.

Alternatively, or additionally, a valve arrangement may be provided foradmitting air into the conduit in the event that there is a blockage inthe suction opening, or immediately downstream from the suction opening,during use of the device. The valve arrangement preferably comprises anair bleed and means for controlling the air flow through the air bleed.The means for controlling the air flow through the air bleed maycomprise a valve which is movable between a closed position, in whichthere is substantially no air flow through the air bleed, and an openposition depending on the magnitude of a pressure differential acrossthe valve, that is, between the pressure of the air within the conduitand the pressure of the ambient atmosphere. A resilient element,preferably in the form of a helical spring, may be provided for urgingthe valve towards its closed position. For example, the valve may beurged against a valve seat by the resilient element so that there issubstantially no air flow through the air bleed during normal use of thedevice. In the event of a blockage in the device upstream of the airbleed, the increase in the pressure differential between the air in theconduit and the ambient atmosphere can result in a force being appliedto the valve which pushes the valve away from the valve seat, againstthe biasing force of the resilient element, to allow air to pass throughthe air bleed and into the conduit.

The handle preferably comprises a connector for connecting the conduitto an appliance for generating said air flow, for example a vacuumcleaning appliance. For example, the connector may be connectable to ahose for conveying the air flow into the appliance. As well as affordinga large degree of maneuverability to the attachment during grooming, theuse of a hose can enable the pet to be groomed in a room adjacent thatin which appliance is located.

The attachment is preferably in the form of a pet grooming device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of a groomingdevice when held by a user, and with the head of the device in a stowedconfiguration;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the grooming device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the grooming device ofFIG. 1 with the head of the device in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the grooming device of FIG. 1 whengripped by the user, and with the head of the device in a deployedconfiguration;

FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the grooming device ofFIG. 1 with the head of the device in its deployed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view, from below, of the grooming deviceof FIG. 1 when the actuator is operated during a grooming operation;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view, from below, of the grooming deviceof FIG. 1 when the actuator is released during a grooming operation;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view, from above, of a second embodimentof a grooming device, with the head of the device in a deployedconfiguration;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view, from below, of the grooming deviceof FIG. 8, with the head in its deployed position;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the grooming device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the grooming device of FIG. 8, with the headof the device in its deployed configuration;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the grooming device of FIG. 8, with the headof the device in its deployed configuration;

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 10, ofthe grooming device, with the head of the device in its deployedconfiguration;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the grooming device of FIG. 8, with the headof the device in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 10, ofthe grooming device, with the head of the device in its stowedconfiguration;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view, from above, of a third embodimentof a grooming device, with the head of the device in a stowedconfiguration;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view, from below, of the grooming deviceof FIG. 16, with the head in its stowed position;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the grooming device of FIG. 16, with the headof the device in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the grooming device of FIG. 16, with the headof the device in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the grooming device of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 21, withthe head of the device in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 22 is a side sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 21, withthe head of the device in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 23 is a front sectional view taken along line H-H of FIG. 21, withthe head of the device in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the grooming device of FIG. 16, with the headof the device in its deployed configuration;

FIG. 25 is a side sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 21, withthe head of the device in its deployed configuration;

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view, from above, of a fourth embodimentof a grooming device, with the head of the device in a stowedconfiguration;

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the grooming device of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the handle of the grooming device of FIG.26;

FIG. 29 is a top view of the grooming device of FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a section, taken along line B-B of FIG. 29, of the groomingdevice, with the head of the device in its stowed configuration and avalve of a valve arrangement in a closed position;

FIG. 31( a) is a section, taken along line A-A of FIG. 29, of thegrooming device, with the head of the device in its stowed configurationand a valve of a valve arrangement in a closed position; and

FIG. 31( b) is a section, taken along line A-A of FIG. 29, of thegrooming device, with the head of the device in its stowed configurationand a valve of a valve arrangement in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate a first embodiment of a grooming device 10,which is in the form of an attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance.With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the grooming device 10 comprisesa head 12 and a handle 14 having a first end 15 connected to the head12.

The head 12 of the grooming device 10 comprises a bristle carrier 16from which a plurality of rows of bristles 18 extend. In thisembodiment, the bristles 18 are connected to pads 19 which are mountedon the bristle carrier 16. The pads 19 are housed within a bristlechamber 20. The bristle chamber 20 is defined, at least in part, by thebristle carrier 16 and a bristle cover 22. The bristle cover 22comprises a base 24 having a plurality of rows of apertures 26 formedtherein, and walls extending upwardly from the sides of the base 24. Thebase 24 is preferably convex in shape. The bristle carrier 16substantially closes the upper (as illustrated) end of the bristlechamber 20. The handle 14 comprises a curved, elongate body 28.

The grooming device 10 comprises a manually operable actuator 30 foreffecting relative movement between the bristle carrier 16 and thebristle cover 22. In a stowed configuration of the head 12, illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 3, the bristles 18 are retracted relative to the bristlecover 22 so as to be located substantially fully within the bristlechamber 20. In a deployed configuration of the head 12, illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the bristles 18 protrude from the bristle cover 22through the apertures 26 formed in the base 24 of the bristle cover 22.

The bristle cover 22 is connected to the first end 15 of the handle 14,whereas the bristle carrier 16 is connected to the actuator 30 so thatmovement of the actuator 30 relative to the body 28 causes the bristles18 to move relative to the bristle cover 22. The bristle carrier 16 ispreferably integral with the actuator 30. In this embodiment, theactuator 30 comprises an arm 32 located adjacent the body 28 of thehandle 14, and which has a similar curvature to the body 28 of thehandle 14. The bristle carrier 16 is connected to, or integral with, oneend of the arm 32 of the actuator 30. The bristle carrier 16 comprises acentrally located aperture 36 through which the body 28 of the handle 14passes, and two pairs of ribs 38. Each pair of ribs 38 is located on arespective side of the aperture 36 for receiving and retaining arespective bristle pad 19 therebetween.

The bristle carrier 16 is biased away from the base 24 of the bristlecover 22 so that the head 12 is normally in its stowed configuration. Inthis embodiment, the grooming device 10 comprises two resilient elements40 in the form of helical compression springs which urge the arm 32 ofthe actuator 30 away from the body 28 of the handle 14, thereby urgingthe bristle carrier 16 away from the base 24. Each resilient element 40is located within a cylindrical recess 42 formed in and spaced along thebody 28 so that the recesses 42 are located opposite to the arm 32 ofthe actuator 30. The actuator 30 comprises two cylindrical rods 44integral with and spaced along the arm 32 so that each rod 44 is alignedaxially with a respective recess 42. The external diameter of the rods44 is smaller than the internal diameter of the recesses 42 so that therods 44 can enter the recesses 42 as the arm 32 is brought towards thebody 28 of the handle 14. Each resilient element 40 is sized so that oneend of the resilient element 40 engages the base of the recess 42,whereas the other end of the resilient element 40 engages the end of therod 44 so as to urge the rod 44, and thus the actuator 30, away from thebody 28 of the handle 14. The movement of the actuator 30 away from thebody 28 is restricted by the abutment of the portion of the bristlecarrier 16 surrounding the aperture 36 with an enlarged portion 46 ofthe body 28 of the handle 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The enlargedportion 46 of the body 28 is positioned along the body 28 so that whenthe bristle carrier 16 engages the enlarged portion 46 the bristles 18are substantially fully retracted within the bristle chamber 20.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, when the grooming device 10 is held bythe user the arm 32 of the actuator 30 is engaged by the thumb andthenar muscle of the hand, whereas the body 28 of the handle 14 issupported by the fingers of that hand. The actuator 30 is moved relativeto the handle 14 by the user simply tightening its grip on the groomingdevice 10 to press the actuator 30 towards the handle 14 against thebiasing force of the resilient elements 40. When the grooming device 10is not in use the biasing force of the resilient elements 40 retains thehead 12 of the grooming device 10 in its stowed configuration, in whichthe bristles 18 are substantially wholly located within the bristlechamber 20. This inhibits bristle damage, for example through accidentaldropping of the grooming device 10 or its contact with other objects,when the grooming device 10 is not in use.

In this embodiment, the grooming device 10 comprises a conduit 50 forconveying an air flow away from the head 12 of the grooming device 10.The conduit 50 extends from a suction opening 52 located centrally inthe base 24 of the bristle cover 22, through the body 28 of the handle14 to a fluid outlet 54 located in a second end 56 of the handle 14which is remote from the head 12. The second end 56 of the body 28 isconnectable to an appliance for generating the air flow, such as avacuum cleaner. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the second end 56 ofthe body 28 is shaped to receive a connector 58 attached to a hose 60for conveying the air flow to the appliance.

The grooming device 10 comprises means for varying the air flow into theconduit 50 from the suction opening 52. An air bleed 62 is located inthe body 28 of the handle 14 for selectively admitting air into theconduit 50. The air bleed 62 may be conveniently located between therecesses 42 formed in the body 28. A valve 64 is connected to the sideof the arm 32 facing the body 28 for movement with the actuator 30 tovary the air flow through the air bleed 62. The valve 64 comprises avalve body 66 which passes the air bleed 62, and a valve head 68 locatedwithin the conduit 50. The external diameter of the valve head 68 isgreater than the internal diameter of the air bleed 62. The valve 64 isshaped so that the valve head 68 substantially closes the air bleed 62when the head 12 is in its stowed configuration, as illustrated in FIG.3. As the head 12 moves to its deployed configuration, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the valve head 68 moves away from the air bleed 62 to open theair bleed and thus decrease the air flow entering the conduit 50 throughthe suction opening 52.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in use the user connects the second end56 of the body 28 of the handle 14 to a vacuum cleaner via the connector58 and the hose 60, and switches on the appliance to create an air flowthrough the conduit 50. The user then grips the grooming device 10 tobring the body 28 and the actuator 30 together, which causes the head 12to move to its deployed configuration. The bristle carrier 16 movestowards this base 24 of the bristle cover 22, which causes the bristles18 to protrude from the bristle cover 22 through the apertures 26. Whilemaintaining its grip on the device 10, the user may groom a pet bydrawing the bristles 18 through the coat of the pet. As the air bleed 62is open, the relatively low air flow entering the conduit 50 through thesuction opening 52 enables loose hair, dirt and other matter to beentrained within the air flow passing through the suction opening 52while preventing the head 12 from pushed down against the skin of thepet.

During grooming, hairs will be collected between the bristles 18 of thegrooming device 10. In order to remove these hairs from the groomingdevice 10, the user releases the actuator 30 by relaxing its grip on thedevice 10, which enables the resilient elements 40 to urge the actuator30 away from the body 28 of the handle 14. The head 12 returns to itsstowed configuration. The bristle carrier 16 moves away from the base 24of the bristle cover 22, which causes the bristles 18 to retract withinthe bristle chamber 20 and release the collected hairs from the bristles18. The movement of the actuator 30 away from the body 28 of the handle14 closes the air bleed 62 to increase the air flow through the suctionopening 52, causing the collected hairs to be drawn into the conduit 50through the suction opening 52 and carried away from the head 12 of thegrooming device 10 without the user having to dislodge or other comeinto physical contact with the collected hairs.

In order to continue grooming, the user simply re-tightens its grip onthe grooming device 10 to bring the body 28 and actuator 30 togetheragain, resulting in the protrusion of the bristles 18 from the bristlecover 22. The user can periodically loosen its grip on the groomingdevice 10 to enable collected hairs to be removed from the head 12. Oncethe grooming has been completed, the user releases the device 10 andswitches off the appliance. Hairs and other matter removed from the petor otherwise collected during the grooming operation are retained withinthe appliance, for example in a bag or bin, for later,disposal by theuser.

FIGS. 8 to 15 illustrate a second embodiment of a grooming device 100,which is also in the form of an attachment for a vacuum cleaningappliance. With reference first to FIGS. 8 to 11, the grooming device100 comprises a head 102 and a handle 104 having a first end 105connected to the head 102. The head 102 of the grooming device 100comprises a bristle carrier 106 from which a plurality of rows ofbristles 108 extend. In this embodiment, the bristles 108 are connectedto pads 109 (shown in FIG. 13) which are mounted on the bristle carrier106. The head 102 further comprises a bristle cover 110 comprising abase 112 having a plurality of rows of apertures 114 formed therein, andwalls extending upwardly from the sides of the base 112. The first end105 of the handle 104 is connected to the bristle cover 110. The base112 is preferably convex in shape.

The grooming device 100 comprises a manually operable actuator 116 foreffecting relative movement between the bristle carrier 106 and thebristle cover 110. In a deployed configuration of the head 102,illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 13, the bristles 108 protrude from the bristlecover 110 through the apertures 114 formed in the base 112 of thebristle cover 110. In a stowed configuration of the head 102,illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the bristles 108 are retracted relativeto the bristle cover 110, preferably so that no part of the bristles 108protrude from the bristle cover 110.

The bristle carrier 106 is connected to the actuator 116 so thatmovement of the actuator 116 relative to the handle 104 causes thebristle carrier 106 to move relative to the bristle cover 110. In thisembodiment, the actuator 116 is located towards the front of the handle104. The actuator 116 comprises an upper wall 118 extending over thefront part of the upper surface 120 of the handle 104 and a front wall124 located in front of the front surface 126 of the handle 104. Thefront wall 124 extends between the upper wall 118 and the bristlecarrier 106, which preferably forms an integral part of the actuator116.

The bristle pads 109 are mounted on the bristle carrier 106 by a frame128 connected to the lower surface of the bristle carrier 106. Asillustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the bristle carrier 106 is surrounded bythe walls of the bristle cover 110 when the head 102 is in its deployedconfiguration.

As in the first embodiment, the bristle carrier 106 is biased away fromthe base 112 of the bristle cover 110 so that the head 102 is normallyin its stowed configuration. In this second embodiment, the groomingdevice 100 comprises two resilient elements 130 in the form of helicalcompression springs which urge the upper wall 118 of the actuator 116away from the upper surface 120 of the handle 104, thereby urging thebristle carrier 106 away from the base 112 of the bristle cover 110. Asillustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the grooming device 100 is not inuse the biasing force of the resilient elements 130 retains the head 102of the grooming device 100 in its stowed configuration. When thegrooming device 100 is held by the user, the upper wall 118 of theactuator 116 is engaged by the thumb of the hand of the user and thehandle 104 is supported by the fingers of that hand of the user. Theactuator 116 is moved relative to the handle 104 by the user pressingthe upper wall 118 of the actuator 116 towards the upper surface 120 ofthe handle 104 against the biasing force of the resilient elements 130.As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the base 122 of the actuator 116 ispushed towards the base 112 of the bristle cover 110, resulting in theprotrusion of the bristles 108 through the apertures 114 of the bristlecover 110.

The grooming device 100 comprises a conduit for conveying an air flowaway from the head 102 of the grooming device 100. A first section 140of the conduit is defined by a duct 142 extending upwardly from acentral portion from the base 112 of the bristle cover 110 and throughan aperture formed in the bristle carrier 106. The lower end of duct 142defines a first suction opening 144 in the base 112 of the bristle cover110. The upper end of the duct 142 is connected to the first end 105 ofthe handle 104. A second section 146 of the conduit passes through thehandle 104, from the first end 105 of the handle 104 to a second end 148of the handle 104 which is remote from the head 102. The second end 148of the handle 104 is connectable to an appliance for generating the airflow, such as a vacuum cleaner. As in the first embodiment, the secondend 148 of the handle 104 is shaped to receive a connector attached to ahose for conveying the air flow to the appliance.

The grooming device 100 also comprises means for varying the air flowinto the conduit from the suction opening 144. In this embodiment an airbleed in the form of a second suction opening 150 formed in the frontsurface 126 of the handle 104 is provided for selectively admitting airinto the second section 146 of the conduit. The air flow through thesecond suction opening 150 is varied by the actuator 116 as it is movedrelative to the handle 104. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the actuator 116comprises a window 152 formed in the front wall 122 thereof. Withreference to FIG. 13, when the head 102 is in its deployed configurationthe window 152 is in a lowered position in which substantially all ofthe second suction opening 150 is exposed by the window 152. Thus, theair bleed is open when the head 102 is in its deployed configuration.With reference to FIG. 15, when the head 102 is in its stowedconfiguration the window 152 is in a raised position in which the secondsuction opening 150 is covered by the front wall 124 of the actuator116. Thus, the air bleed is substantially closed when the head 102 is inits stowed configuration. If desired, part of the second suction opening150 may also be exposed by the window 152 when the head 102 is in itsstowed configuration in order to restrict the air flow through the firstsuction opening 144.

The actuator 116 further comprises a guide vane 154 located beneath thewindow 152, and which extends through the second suction opening 150 andinto the handle 104. As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 15, the guide vane154 is substantially parallel to the upper wall 118 of the actuator 116.The guide vane 154 serves to guide the airflow entering the groomingdevice 100 through the second suction opening 150 into the secondsection 146 of the conduit. The guide vane 154 also serves to restrictthe movement of the actuator 116 away from the handle 104 throughabutment with an inner surface 156 of the handle 104. The guide vane 154is positioned on the actuator 116 so that when the guide vane 154engages this inner surface 156 of the handle 104 the bristles 108 aresubstantially fully retracted through the apertures 114 of the bristlecover 110.

In use, the user connects the second end 148 of the handle 104 to avacuum cleaner, and switches on the appliance to create an air flowthrough the conduit. The user then grips the handle 104 of the groomingdevice 100 and, using the thumb of the hand holding the grooming device100, presses the upper wall 118 of the actuator 116 towards the handle104. This causes the head 102 to move to its deployed configuration inwhich the bristles 108 protrude from the bristle cover 110 through theapertures 114. While continuing to depress the actuator 116, the usermay groom a pet by drawing the bristles 108 through the coat of the pet.As the air bleed is open when the head 102 is in its deployedconfiguration, a first part of the air flow generated by the vacuumcleaner enters the conduit through the first suction opening 144. Thisenables loose hair, dirt and other matter to be entrained within the airflow passing through the first suction opening 144. A second part of theair flow generated by the vacuum cleaner enters the conduit through thesecond suction opening 150. This enables airborne hair and other matterto the entrained within the air flow passing the second suction opening150. The relatively low air flow entering the conduit through the firstsuction opening 144 prevents the head 102 from being pushed down againstthe skin of the pet during the grooming operation.

During grooming, hairs will be collected between the bristles 108 of thegrooming device 10. In order to remove these hairs from the groomingdevice 100, the user releases the actuator 116 by reducing the pressureapplied to the upper wall 118 of the actuator 116. This enables theresilient elements 130 to urge the actuator 116 away from the handle104. This in turn causes the bristles 108 to retract through theapertures 114 in the bristle cover 110 as the head 102 moves to itsstowed configuration, thereby releasing the collected hairs from thebristles 108. The movement of the actuator 116 closes the air bleed toincrease the amount of the air flow which enters the conduit through thefirst suction opening 144. This causes the collected hairs to be drawninto the conduit through the first suction opening 144 and carried awayfrom the head 102 of the grooming device 100 without the user having todislodge or other come into physical contact with the collected hairs.

In order to continue grooming, the user simply depresses the upper wall118 of the actuator 116 again, resulting in the protrusion of thebristles 108 from the bristle cover 110. The user can periodicallyreduce the pressure applied to the upper wall 118 of the actuator 116 toenable collected hairs to be removed from the head 102.

FIGS. 16 to 25 illustrate a third embodiment of a grooming device 200,which is also in the form of an attachment for a vacuum cleaningappliance. The grooming device 200 comprises a head 202 and a handle 204having a first end 205 connected to the head 202. The head 202 of thegrooming device 200 comprises a bristle carrier 206 from which aplurality of rows of bristles 208 extend. Similar to the secondembodiment, the bristles 208 are connected to pads 209 (shown in FIG.22) which are mounted on the bristle carrier 206 by a frame 210connected to the lower surface of the bristle carrier 206.

The head 202 further comprises a bristle cover 212 comprising a base 214having a plurality of rows of apertures 216 formed therein. The firstend 205 of the handle 204 is connected to the bristle cover 212. Thebase 214 is preferably convex in shape.

The grooming device 200 comprises a manually operable actuator 218 foreffecting relative movement between the bristle carrier 206 and thebristle cover 212. In a stowed configuration of the head 202,illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 23, the bristles 208 are retracted relativeto the bristle cover 212, preferably so that no part of the bristles 208protrude from the bristle cover 212. In a deployed configuration of thehead 202, illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, the bristles 208 protrude fromthe bristle cover 212 through the apertures 216 formed in the base 214of the bristle cover 212.

The bristle carrier 206 is connected to the actuator 218 so thatmovement of the actuator 218 relative to the handle 204 causes thebristle carrier 206 to move relative to the bristle cover 212. In thisembodiment, the actuator 218 extends about the handle 204. Asillustrated in FIGS. 16 and 19, the actuator 218 may be centrallylocated on the device 200. The actuator 218 comprises an upper section220 and a lower section 222. The bristle carrier 206 is connected to,and is preferably integral with, the lower section 222 of the actuator218.

The upper section 220 is generally U shaped, and extends over the uppersurface of the handle 204. The upper section 220 of the actuator 218 maycomprise a recessed portion 224 which is depressed by a user to actuatethe movement of the bristle carrier 206 relative to the bristle cover212. The lower section 222 comprises two side walls 226 upstanding fromthe upper surface 228 of the bristle carrier 206 and located on oppositesides of the handle 204. The lower section 222 also comprises a U-shapedfront wall 230 which is also upstanding from the upper surface 228 ofthe bristle carrier 206, and which extends between the side walls 226and beneath the handle 204. With reference also to FIGS. 22 to 24, thelower section 222 also comprises two rear walls 232 which each extendpartially inwardly from the rear edge of a respective side wall 226. Forthe purpose of connecting the upper section 220 to the lower section222, the lower section 222 further comprises two cylindrical bosses 234.Each boss 234 is also upstanding from, and preferably integral with, theupper surface 228 of the bristle carrier 206. Each boss 234 is locatedbetween the handle 204 and a respective side wall 226. The upper section220 of the actuator 218 is located on the upper ends of the bosses 234so that each one of a pair of cylindrical recesses 236 formed in theupper section 220 is co-axial with a respective boss 234. The uppersection 220 is connected to the lower section 222 using screws 238 whichare inserted into the recesses 236 and screwed into the bosses 234.

As in the second embodiment, the bristle carrier 206 is biased away fromthe base 214 of the bristle cover 212 so that the head 202 is normallyin its stowed configuration. In this third embodiment, the groomingdevice 200 comprises two resilient elements 240 in the form of helicalcompression springs which urge part of the actuator 218 away from partof the handle 204, so that, in turn, the bristle carrier 206 is urgedaway from the base 214 of the bristle cover 212. Returning to FIGS. 22and 23, the handle 204 comprises a pair of cylindrical shafts 242 whichare each connected to, and preferably integral with, a respective sideof the handle 204. Each shaft 242 is arranged to surround a respectiveboss 234 of the lower section 222 of the actuator 218. The lower end ofeach shaft 242 is shaped to define a seat 244 upon which a resilientelement 240 is located prior to the connection of the upper section 220of the actuator 218 to the lower section 222. When the upper section 220is located on the lower section 222, the upper end of each resilientelement 240 engages a respective part of the upper section 220 so as tourge the upper section 220 of the actuator 218 away from the handle 204.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 23, when the grooming device 200 is not inuse the biasing force of the resilient elements 240 retains the head 202of the grooming device 100 in its stowed configuration. The movement ofthe upper section 220 of the actuator 218 away from the handle 204 maybe limited by the engagement between the upper surface 228 of thebristle carrier 206, which moves with the actuator 218, and the lowersurfaces of two fins 250, 252 which each depend downwardly from thelower surface of the handle 204.

When the grooming device 200 is held by the user, the recessed portion224 of the upper section 220 of the actuator 218 is engaged by the thumbof the hand of the user and the handle 204 is supported by the fingersof that hand of the user. The actuator 218 is moved relative to thehandle 204 by the user pressing the upper section 220 of the actuator218 towards the upper surface of the handle 204 against the biasingforce of the resilient elements 240. As illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25,the movement of the actuator 218 causes the bristle carrier 206 to bepushed towards the base 214 of the bristle cover 212, resulting in theprotrusion of the bristles 208 through the apertures 216 of the bristlecover 212.

The grooming device 200 comprises a conduit for conveying an air flowaway from the head 202 of the grooming device 200. A first section 260of the conduit is defined by a duct 262 extending upwardly from acentral portion from the base 214 of the bristle cover 212 and throughan aperture formed in the bristle carrier 206. The lower end of the duct262 defines a first suction opening 264 in the base 214 of the bristlecover 212. The upper end of the duct 262 is connected to the first end205 of the handle 204. A second section 266 of the conduit passesthrough the handle 204, from the first end 205 of the handle 204 to asecond end 268 of the handle 204 which is remote from the head 202. Thesecond end 268 of the handle 204 is connectable to an appliance forgenerating the air flow, such as a vacuum cleaner. As in the first andsecond embodiments, the second end 268 of the handle 204 is shaped toreceive a connector attached to a hose for conveying the air flow to theappliance.

The grooming device 200 also comprises means for varying the air flowinto the conduit from the first suction opening 264. In this embodimentan air bleed in the form of a second suction opening 270 formed in afront portion 272 of the handle 204 for selectively admitting air intothe conduit. The front portion 272 of the handle 204 is located forwardfrom the first end 205 of the handle 204, and defines a third section274 of the conduit. The third section 274 is aligned with a major partof the second section 266 of the conduit. The second suction opening 270is located at the end of the front portion 272 of the handle 204 so asto face the upper surface 228 of the bristle carrier 206. The peripheralsurface of the second suction opening 270 has a curvature which issubstantially the same as that of the upper surface 228 of the bristlecarrier 206.

In this embodiment, the air flow through the second suction opening 270is varied by the bristle carrier 206 as it is moved relative to thebristle cover 214. As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, when the head 202is in its stowed configuration the peripheral surface of the secondsuction opening 270 is engaged by the upper surface 228 of the bristlecarrier 206 so that the second suction opening 270 is substantiallyclosed. This can also serve to restrict movement of the upper section220 of the actuator 218 away from the handle 204. If desired, however,the peripheral surface of the second suction opening 270 may be spacedfrom the upper surface 228 of the bristle carrier 206 so that the flowof air into the second suction opening 270 is throttled by the bristlecarrier 206. As illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, when the head 202 is inits deployed configuration the second suction opening 270 is spaced fromthe bristle carrier 206.

The operation of the grooming device 200 is similar to that of thegrooming device 100. In use, the user connects the second end 268 of thehandle 204 to a vacuum cleaner, and switches on the appliance to createan air flow through the conduit. The user then grips the handle 204 ofthe grooming device 200 and, using the thumb of the hand holding thegrooming device 200, presses the upper section 220 of the actuator 218towards the handle 204. This causes the head 202 to move to its deployedconfiguration in which the bristles 208 protrude from the bristle cover212 through the apertures 216. While continuing to depress the actuator218, the user may groom a pet by drawing the bristles 208 through thecoat of the pet. As the second suction opening 270 is open when the head202 is in its deployed configuration, a first part of the air flowgenerated by the vacuum cleaner enters the conduit through the firstsuction opening 264. This enables loose hair, dirt and other matter tobe entrained within the air flow passing through the first suctionopening 264. A second part of the air flow generated by the vacuumcleaner enters the conduit through the second suction opening 270. Thisenables airborne hair and other matter to the entrained within the airflow passing the second suction opening 270. The relatively low air flowentering the conduit through the first suction opening 264 prevents thehead 202 from being pushed down against the skin of the pet during thegrooming operation.

During grooming, hairs will be collected between the bristles 208 of thegrooming device 10. In order to remove these hairs from the groomingdevice 200, the user releases the actuator 218 by reducing the pressureapplied to the upper section 220 of the actuator 218. This enables theresilient elements 240 to urge the upper section 220 of the actuator 218away from the handle 204. This in turn causes the bristles 208 toretract through the apertures 216 in the bristle cover 212 as the head202 moves to its stowed configuration, thereby releasing the collectedhairs from the bristles 208. The movement of the actuator 218 causes thebristle carrier 206 to close the second suction opening 270 to increasethe amount of the air flow which enters the conduit through the firstsuction opening 264. This causes the collected hairs to be drawn intothe conduit through the first suction opening 264 and carried away fromthe head 202 of the grooming device 200 without the user having todislodge or other come into physical contact with the collected hairs.

In order to continue grooming, the user simply depresses the uppersection 220 of the actuator 218 again, resulting in the protrusion ofthe bristles 208 from the bristle cover 212. The user can periodicallyreduce the pressure applied to the upper section 220 of the actuator 218to enable collected hairs to be removed from the head 202.

FIGS. 26 to 31 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a grooming device 300,which is also in the form of an attachment for a vacuum cleaningappliance. The grooming device 300 is generally the same as the groomingdevice 200, with the exception that the fins 250, 252 of the handle 204have been removed and replaced by a valve arrangement 302 for admittingair into the conduit in the event that there is a blockage of one orboth of the first suction opening 264 and the second suction opening270, or a blockage immediately downstream from one or both of thesesuction openings 264, 270, during use of the device 300.

The valve arrangement 302 comprises an air bleed 304 located in aportion of the handle 204 located downstream from the junction betweenthe second section 266 and the third section 274 of the conduit. Withreference to FIG. 28, in this embodiment the air bleed 304 is located ona lower surface of the handle 204, and is generally rectangular inshape. The air bleed 304 is surrounded by an annular wall 305 dependingfrom the lower surface of the handle 204. Turning to FIGS. 27 and 30,the valve arrangement 302 further comprises a valve 306 for controllingthe air flow through the air bleed 304. The valve 306 comprises a base308 and a tubular body 310 having a pair of diametrically opposed slots312. The body 310 is located over a cylindrical boss 314 locatedgenerally in the centre of the air bleed 304, and which is supported bytwo arms 316 extending across the air bleed 304. The slots 312 of thevalve 308 are aligned with the arms 316 spanning the air bleed 304 sothat each arm 316 extends through a respective slot 310. A resilientelement, in this embodiment in the form of a helical spring 318, islocated within the body 310 of the valve 306 so that one end of thespring 318 engages the boss 314 and the other end of the spring 318engages the base 308 so as to urge the base 308 of the valve 306 awayfrom the boss 314.

The valve arrangement 302 further comprises a valve seat against whichthe base 308 of the valve 306 is urged by the spring 318. The valve seatis in the form of a generally rectangular inner frame 320 having aperimeter against which the base 308 of the valve 306 is urged by thespring 318. The inner frame 320 is located within a generallyrectangular outer frame 322 which is attached to the inner periphery ofthe annular wall 305, for example by a snap-fit connection. The base 308of the valve 306 is exposed to the ambient atmosphere through the innerframe 320 and the outer frame 322. A foam member 324 may be retainedbetween the inner frame 320 and the outer frame 322 to inhibit theingress of dirt into the conduit through the air bleed 304. The outerframe 322, or the foam member 324, also serves the same function of thefins 250, 252 insofar as the movement of the upper section 220 of theactuator 218 away from the handle 204 is limited by the engagementbetween the upper surface 228 of the bristle carrier 206 and the lowersurface of outer frame 322.

During normal use of the device 300, the valve 306 is in a closedposition, as illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31( a) in which the base 308 ofthe valve 306 is urged against the inner frame 320 by the spring 318 toinhibit the flow of air into the conduit through the air bleed 304.While there is a force acting on the base 308 of the valve 306 due tothe difference in the air pressure within the conduit and the airpressure of the ambient atmosphere, this force is insufficient toovercome the elastic force of the spring 318 so that the valve 306remains in its closed position when the head 202 is in both its stowedand deployed configurations. In the event of a blockage within theconduit upstream of the air bleed 304, the air pressure within theconduit downstream from the blockage may decrease, which may in turnincrease the pressure differential between the air in the conduit andthe ambient atmosphere. This increases the force acting on the base 308of the valve 306. The elastic force of the spring 318 is selected sothat the increased force acting on the base 308 of the valve 306 is ableto overcome the biasing force of the spring 318, which results in thevalve 306 moving away from the valve seat to an open position, asillustrated in FIG. 31( b), to allow air to pass into the conduitthrough the air bleed 304. This reduces the suction force acting at thesource of the blockage in the conduit, which can allow the blockage tobe removed without having to switch off the vacuum cleaner to which thedevice 300 is attached.

1. An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance, comprising: a headcomprising a bristle carrier and a bristle cover, the bristle carriercomprising a plurality of bristles and the bristle cover comprising aplurality of apertures; a handle connected to the head; a conduitconnectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance for conveying an air flowfrom the bristle cover towards the appliance; an actuator manuallyoperable by a user to effect relative movement between the bristlecarrier and the bristle cover from a stowed configuration in which thebristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover to a deployedconfiguration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle coverthrough the apertures; and a device for returning the head to the stowedconfiguration automatically when the actuator is released by the user.2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the bristle carrier is connectedto the actuator.
 3. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the bristlecarrier is integral with the actuator.
 4. The attachment of claim 1,wherein the actuator is movable relative to the handle to effect saidrelative movement.
 5. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the actuator isslidably movable relative to the handle.
 6. The attachment of claim 1,wherein said relative movement is effected by pressing the actuatortowards the handle.
 7. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the device forreturning the head automatically to the stowed configuration comprisesat least one resilient element for urging at least part of the actuatoraway from the handle.
 8. The attachment of claim 7, wherein said atleast one resilient element is located between the handle and said atleast part of the actuator.
 9. The attachment of claim 1, wherein thebristle carrier is movable relative to the bristle cover and theattachment is configured to restrict movement of the bristle carrieraway from the bristle cover.
 10. The attachment of claim 9, wherein thehandle is configured to restrict movement of the bristle carrier awayfrom the bristle cover.
 11. The attachment of claim 9, wherein thehandle is arranged to engage the bristle carrier to restrict movement ofthe bristle carrier away from the bristle cover.
 12. The attachment ofclaim 1, wherein the bristle carrier comprises a plurality of rows ofbristles, and the bristle cover comprises a plurality of rows ofapertures.
 13. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the bristles arelocated on at least one bristle pad mounted on the bristle carrier. 14.The attachment of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a suction openingof the conduit.
 15. The attachment of claim 14, comprising a device forvarying the air flow into the suction opening.
 16. The attachment ofclaim 15, wherein said device for varying the air flow into the suctionopening is arranged to vary the air flow into the suction openingdepending on the position of the bristle carrier relative to the bristlecover.
 17. The attachment of claim 15, wherein said device for varyingthe air flow into the suction opening is arranged to increase the airflow into the suction opening upon relative movement between the bristlecarrier and the bristle cover from the deployed configuration to thestowed configuration.
 18. The attachment of claim 1, in the form of apet grooming device.